Rosie Lowe

The Hope And Ruin, Queen’s Road, Brighton, Wednesday, February 24

WHEN Rosie Lowe was studying songwriting at London’s Goldsmith’s College she focused on a mix of soul, jazz and folk songs.

It was only when she had to set herself some limitations as part of the course that she found the voice which is the basis of her debut album Control – released nationwide today.

“I felt like I was really struggling to find a voice that was mine,” she says. “It only came once we took the instruments out.

“I wrote five songs just using my voice – I was singing the drum parts, the bass parts, I wasn’t being hampered by my technical ability. It was one of the biggest points of my life having that freedom and not being reliant on anybody else – to be able to see my vision through.”

She has kept that method today to create songs where her voice is to the fore – and frequently what sounds like synth sounds are provided by her own vocal cords. She still produces or co-produces all her own work from the basic demos.

The method feeds into her early love of Erika Badu records.

“My mum liked Bjork too, so those sounds were part of my upbringing and education of my ears,” she says. “I became very obsessed with Erika Badu and her sound. I started hearing more electronic music and drum machines – I fell in love with that stuff.”

At the same time she was looking towards the likes of Joni Mitchell and Carole King for songwriting inspiration.

“I write all the time,” she says – adding that her debut album is made up of almost two years of compositions.

“Making the album has been a real learning curve. I’ve had to get the right team around me, but I have seen it through from the beginning to the end. You can’t keep hold of it forever. It’s why I called the album Control – it’s about trying to relinquish it!”

Everything that has been released so far, on the debut EP Right Thing, and singles Woman, Who’s That Girl and Worry Bout Us is built around a minimal, heavily electronic aesthetic, seemingly designed for late night listening and soul-searching.

“The ideas are very personal,” she admits. “I did therapy – I feel like I’m a pretty honest and upfront person. I don’t beat around the bush much in my personal life. In any part of my life I believe transparency is key as long as you don’t offend too many people.

“I feel vulnerable about the stuff I talk about, but it is not unusual stuff – it’s what people deal with all the time. I have written songs about people not being there when you expect them to be – we have all had that in some part of our lives. We all feel regret about making wrong decisions.

“It doesn’t make me feel vulnerable when I’m performing the songs, although when I’m writing I am in a vulnerable state. Writing, producing it, mixing it and getting it out there is a long process – once it is out there it’s about seeing people experience it. Everyone should have some sort of outlet – be it drawing, running or writing. You need somewhere to vent and explore how you’re feeling.”

On the song Woman she sings: “Should my intellect be judged by my perceptions of what I should be?”

She admits she feels frustrated by some of the responses she gets to her music, which are more related to her gender and striking looks which wouldn’t look out of place in Vogue.

“When I put out my first EP I was still very much under the radar in terms of the industry,” she says.

“It made it hard for someone else to mould me. If I had gone to a record label at 16 it would have been very different. I could see when I was looking for a deal there were some labels who were hitting on ideas I didn’t agree with so I didn’t sign with them.

“It took a long time to build a team who supported my vision. By some of the questions I’m asked today I can see how I’m treated differently from my male counterparts. I get asked about fashion faux pas instead of the music. It’s a social and cultural issue more than anything else – and it’s still progressing. I would like to think it’s getting better.

“I just have to fight a bit harder and shout a bit louder unfortunately.”

Once the album is out she is looking forward to getting control back live on stage.

“I would love to do more touring,” she says. “I’m not as travelled as I should be. I know my audience through social media, but I’m really excited about seeing them and getting to know them.”

And she is looking forward to returning to Brighton.

“Apart from being an amazing place I love Burger Brothers,” she says referring to the cult North Road takeaway. “It’s one of the gigs I’m looking forward to most – I get to have the best burger!”

Starts 8pm, tickets £7.50. Call 01273 606312.